Joel Martinez

Duke University, Fuqua School of Business

“Optimistic guy with a passion for social impact work and New England sports teams!”

Hometown: Wenham, Massachusetts

Fun Fact About Yourself: I once got to accompany Ruth Bader Ginsburg on a trip from Paris to the Hague, Netherlands.

Undergraduate School and Major: Middlebury College, Economics and Political Science (Joint Major)

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: World Justice Project, Director of Engagement

The MBA program is renowned for its “Team Fuqua” culture, which is predicated on six paired principles: Authentic Engagement, Supportive Ambition, Collective Diversity, Impactful Stewardship, Loyal Community, and Uncompromising Integrity. Which of these resonates most with you – and what does that principle demand of you as a Fuqua MBA? Supportive Ambition is the paired principle that resonates with me the most. I’ve always loved being on a team and so a collaborative culture was something I was looking for in an MBA program. This principle demands that I prioritize team achievement over individual achievement. At Fuqua, I’m looking forward to supporting my classmates to collectively reach our potential.

What word best describes the Fuqua MBA students and alumni you’ve met so far and why? I would say “friendly.” Nearly all the Fuqua MBA students and alumni I’ve met have been incredibly welcoming. When I was in the process of applying, I connected with several current students, and they were all so generous with their time. I could tell that friendly inclusion was a key part of the school’s culture.

Aside from your classmates and school culture, what was the key part of Duke Fuqua’s MBA programming that led you to choose this business school and why was it so important to you? I came to Fuqua from a nonprofit background, and I’m keen to continue to make social impact work a major component of my career. A big reason I chose Fuqua was the Center for the Advancement of Social Entrepreneurship (CASE). The way social impact is being delivered around the world is changing, particularly with the growth of ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) lenses and impact investing. I want to gain exposure to those approaches, and I saw that Fuqua was a great place to do that.

What course, club or activity excites you the most at Duke Fuqua? I’m really excited to take the Social Entrepreneurship class. It’s such a rapidly developing field; I’m eager to learn about the latest thinking and strategies.

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: I’m very proud of managing the World Justice Challenge 2021, which was a global competition to identify, promote, and support nonprofits and social enterprises working on key rule of law problems (such as corruption and access to justice) that were exacerbated by the pandemic. Throughout the Challenge, we were able to showcase 30 incredible finalist organizations, and ultimately provided financial support to six winners to help them advance their important work.

How did COVID-19 change your perspective on your career and your life in general? During COVID-19, it became important for me to pay more attention to my mental health, both in my career and in my life in general. With all the increased stress of the pandemic, there were moments when I struggled. I found that being intentional about my mental wellness made a big difference.

What led you to pursue an MBA at this point and what do you hope to do after graduation? I had been working for my previous organization for a relatively long time. When the pandemic struck, I suddenly had additional space to reflect on my career. I realized that I wanted to take on a new career challenge and strengthen my professional skillset. I decided to pursue an MBA to complement my nonprofit experience and to study how various business models can make a positive social impact. After graduation, I hope to join a social enterprise or a social impact consulting firm.

What other MBA programs did you apply to? Because of all the uncertainty with the pandemic, I applied to a lot! Other than Duke Fuqua, I applied to Boston University, Questrom School of Business, as well as six programs through The Consortium:

Yale School of Management

Cornell University, Johnson Graduate School of Management

University of Michigan, Ross School of Management

Emory University, Goizueta Business School

Georgetown University, McDonough School of Business

UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School

What advice would you give to help potential applicants gain admission into Duke Fuqua’s MBA program? During my application experience, I found Fuqua to be different from many other MBA programs I was looking at. I’d definitely recommend that potential applicants reach out to current students and attend admissions events to learn about what makes Fuqua unique. If the school feels like a good fit for you, be sure to explain why in your application.

DON’T MISS: MEET THE MBA CLASS OF 2023: PACESETTERS WITH A PURPOSE